Apple Lightning Adapter: iHome, Gear4 accessories covered

There are worries over Apple's new Lightning cable and adapter's backward compatibility, but is it a cause for concern?

Talk of the iPhone 5’s new Lightning cable and its associated adapter is threatening to become this year’s “antennagate.” Confusion reigns as future iPhone 5 owners question whether they’ll be able to use their already-purchased accessories with the new device, or if the adapter’s limitations will scupper that plan.

Apple hasn’t helped by saying neither video or iPod-out is supported by the adapter, along with the disclaimer that “some 30-pin accessories are not supported,” but without adding any much needed detail.

To see if audio dock manufacturers were expecting any problems, we contacted a few of the big names for comment. iHome, North America’s number one maker of iPod speaker systems, said “The Apple Lightning to 30-pin adapters will support audio and charging with iHome docking stations.”

Good news there, then.

Gear4, who along with a wide-range of regular docks, also produces the licensed Angry Birds docks, provided more detail, saying “based on our understanding of the specification of the adapter, it appears that most or all of our products should work with the new iOS devices through the adapter.” This will include speakers that are “app-enabled,” and the forthcoming Renew SleepClock, that can monitor sleep patterns.

Regarding the Gear4 docks that don’t use a 30-pin connector but Bluetooth and AirPlay instead, the USB charging port on the rear is compatible with the Lightning cable and will charge attached devices as normal.

We’ve contacted JBL and Bose for comment too, and will update with their responses.

Gizmodo claims that the lack of iPod-out compatibility will be more of an issue for those who connect their iPhones and iPods to in-car entertainment systems, where apps that previously integrated with the system may no longer do so, and standard-fit controls may not operate the device either.

As for the video out problem, Apple may have a solution, but it’ll involve buying another set of cables. The Verge reports that an Apple representative told them Lightning to HDMI and Lightning to VGA cables would arrive in “the coming months.” If AirPlay’s not an option for you, then it looks like it’ll be best to wait for the new cables rather than splash out on an adapter.

Unfortunately, concrete answers to questions regarding the Lightning adapter may have to wait until the iPhone 5 and new iPods go on sale, and owners get to test it out when the adapter is released in October. Judging by what we’ve heard from manufacturers so far, it may not be as much of a problem as many feared.

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Online Storage vs Offline Storage – Which is better?

Data storage is a major concern not just for companies but also for individual users. As our need for bigger and bigger space increases, so does our worry regarding the safety of our documents and other electronic files. Offline solutions remain popular; after all, external hard disk drives are still commonly used. However, more and more people are considering online solutions either as an alternative or a supplement to their current storage type of choice. So now the question remains: online storage vs offline storage – which is better? Let us take a look at each solution to compare their advantages and limitations.

Convenience

Offline storage requires a device that can keep documents in electronic form. Some of the more common options are USB drives, hard disk drives (internal and external) and optical devices such as CDs and DVDs. To access the data from any of these devices, users have to be able to plug into a computer. The advantage is that they do not need an Internet connection. USB drives are very handy because of their small size but other devices are bulky. If the user requires a large storage capacity, he may even have to use two or more devices in order to accommodate the amount of data that needs to be stored.

Online storage, on the other hand, requires only an Internet connection, a cloud storage facility and a computer. It does not require a physical storage device and data may be accessed from virtually anywhere. However, this option fails if any of the abovementioned factors is missing.

Which is better: Either one works but it all depends on the availability of the tools.

Security

Security is critical particularly for high-risk data. The usual concern for offline storage is that with data being stored in a physical device, there is a danger of corruption in case the device itself is damaged. There is also the risk of loss and unauthorized access in case of theft.

For online storage, users can usually rely on tight security measures implemented by the service provider. The user, for his part, should make sure that the account user ID and associated password he uses is secure. Loss of data can occur, however, in the rare likelihood that the service provider’s servers get corrupted or damaged irreparably or if the user’s account is hacked.

Which is better: Both options offer a secure way of storing data, provided care is practiced by both user and service provider.

Integrity

One of the biggest problems regarding offline storage options such as hard drives is that they could crash. If this happens, data can no longer be retrieved. Great if the user made a backup of the files but if not, important data will be lost or damaged beyond recovery.

This is an area where online options have the upper hand. Storage providers take extra precaution to ensure that data stored in their facilities is safe and secure. They do this by creating redundant hardware that will prevent loss of data.

So which is better? That really depends on the user’s needs, along with the available resources he may have. When deciding on whether to go with an offline or an online solution, consider the pros and cons carefully to ensure that your choice meets your requirements.

Author bio : Peter Lee is the webmaster of ComputerHowToGuide.com. Despite the popularity of cloud storage, Peter still prefer to use external hard drives to store files offline. A cloud storage user himself, he found external storage devices far more secured than the cloud. You may also follow him on Twitter @com_howtoguide.

Source : techtalkafrica[dot]com

Health Risks of Mobile Phone Use: Fact v Fiction

It’s long been a concern of many that using mobile phones escalates certain health risks. Yes, using mobile devices while driving, for instance, escalates risk of accident and injury. However, the health risks discussed in this specific topic are not external. Some rumored conditions from use include degradation of hearing to brain tumors. Let us discuss each health risk some more commonly held in fear and the truth behind each.

 Brain Tumors

Too many people believe that mobile phones escalate risks of brain tumors forming from inherent radiation that mobiles generate. While it is certainly true that these devices do generate a small degree of radiation caused by the radio signal exchange, the amount of radiation exhibited by these devices is not significant enough to cause tumors to develop.

Children’s skin and organ tissues are more delicate and thin than those of an adult. If this particular fear is high enough, reduce the odds by prohibiting Bluetooth headsets. When a child holds the mobile phone to his ear instead of using the remote headset, the signal exchange ratio is reduce, thereby, reducing the radiation projected.

A series of extensive and comprehensive studies published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute verified that moderate use of Bluetooth headsets and to-ear mobile phone use poses no real brain tumors or cancer risks. Corded headsets reduce fears and radiation exposure, however, if the fear continues.

These rules, by the way, hold for users of all ages. Constantly wearing a Bluetooth headset is never recommended for any age, for it can produce other side-effects than one of radiation: Our ears need airflow. If the ear canal is blocked from that air flow, built-up moisture condenses and can cause infections that can damage the ear drum and fragile bones.

 Hearing Loss

If the volume is high continuously, the threat of hearing loss, starting in the upper frequency ranges, is actually real, just as listening to loud music can threaten full-range hearing. Ensure the incoming volume is adequate for clarity but not overly loud for convenience.

This audibility rule holds for headsets of all types and for speakers as well, whether they’re on a television set, a stereo, an MP3 or MP4 player or a smartphone.

 Sterilization

Stemming from radiation fears, the location and negligible amount of radiation mobile device exude have absolutely no impact on male or female sterility.  No medical study has ever confirmed that fable regarding mobile phone use.

 Emotional Health

Health concerns for children and mobile phone use extend beyond the physical. Adolescence and teenaged years can be extremely difficult for kids. Cyberbullying, inappropriate content viewed while surfing the Internet or even engaging in photo sharing and chat room conversation lead parental concerns.

Using their smartphones when supposedly sleeping or doing homework or other tasks are also on the concern list. Sending a photograph to someone who shouldn’t have those photographs can risk emotional trauma and extreme distress.

Parents can monitor text messages and call histories to help lessen those concerns. Also, parents can download onto their children’s mobile devices a lock-out program that will prevent mobile phone use during sleep hours, for example, or text messages during inappropriate times.

Parents might opt to explain the prohibition parameters, however. A child might opt to toss the mobile if he thinks it’s not working, causing additional expense and exasperation.

Unfortunately, emotional health problems from Internet-based actions or viral text messages can impact users of any age.

Guest post by Jaye Ryan, a freelance author who likes to write about mobile technology facts and trends for MobilePhones.org.uk.

Source : techtalkafrica[dot]com

Early Facebook investor Peter Thiel unloads majority of his shares

Peter Thiel, one of Facebook's biggest early investors, has sold the majority of his shares in the company, making around $400 million in the process. The move may cause further concern among other investors in the social networking site, who've seen Facebook's stock lose more than half its value since the company went public in May.

One of Facebook’s biggest early investors has sold off the majority of his shares in the company, wasting little time following the expiration of the first lock-up period last Thursday.

According to a Forbes report, Peter Thiel off-loaded 20.06 million of his roughly 25 million shares, netting him somewhere in the region of $400 million. The information was obtained from a Securities and Exchange Commission financial document.

Facebook shares have plummeted in value since the social networking giant went public in May. On Monday, their value dropped below $19, less than half of the $38 launch price.

Despite the fall, Thiel has still made a pretty penny, having invested $500,000 in Facebook in its early days back in 2004, a time when it was still called ‘Thefacebook’.

The end of the first lock-up agreement means early employees and investors holding a combined total of 271 million shares can now sell if they wish to do so, just as Thiel did.

More lock-up agreements will end between now and November, allowing for the potential sale of 1.9 billion shares. In November alone, a further 1.2 billion more shares will become eligible for sale. When that happens, things could go either way for Facebook.

“This date becomes the greatest wildcard,” Brian Wieser of Wall Street research group Pivotal told the Guardian last week. He said much will rest on the social networking site’s next lot of financial results, due in October.

“They may be able to navigate through this. The more they can convince Wall Street of the merits of their story, the more they are likely to generate demand for the shares,” Wieser added.

Concern has been growing among investors about whether the social networking site has the means to generate serious revenue from mobile advertising – an area in which it has so far been struggling to make an impact – with growing numbers of Facebook users turning to handsets and tablets to access the site.

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com